Hebrews 9:17

For a will is in force where there has been death, for it is never in force while he who made it lives.

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

For a will is in force where there has been death, for it is never in force while he who made it lives.

BSB

because a will does not take effect until the one who made it has died; it cannot be executed while he is still alive.

KJV

For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

ASV

For a testament is of force where there hath been death: for it doth never avail while he that made it liveth.

BBE

For a testament has effect after death; for what power has it while the man who made it is living?

Original Greek

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διαθήκη diathēkē A will G1242 γὰρ gar for G1063 ἐπὶ epi after G1909 νεκροῖς nekrois death G3498 βεβαία bebaia [is] affirmed G949 ἐπεὶ epei since G1893 μήποτε mēpote otherwise G3361 ἰσχύει ischuei it is in force G2480 ὅτε hote when G3753 ζῇ zēa is living G2198 ὁ ho the [one] G3588 διαθέμενος diathemenos having made [it] G1303

The early church

It was probable that many of those who were more weakly would especially distrust the promises of Christ because He had died. Paul accordingly out of a superabundance introduced this illustration, deriving it from common custom. Of what kind is it? He says, "indeed, on this very account we ought to be of good courage." On what account? Because testaments are established and obtain their force when those who have made them are not living, but dead. "And for this cause," he says, "He is the Mediator of the New Testament." A Testament is made towards the last day, [the day] of death. And a testament is of this character: It makes some heirs, and some disinherited. So in this case also: "I will that where I am," Christ says, "they also may be." (John xvii. 24.) And again of the disinherited, hear Him saying, "I pray not for" all, "but for them that believe on Me through their word." (John xvii. 20.) Again, a testament has relation both to the testator, and to the legatees; so that they have some things to receive, and some to do, So also in this case. For after having made promises innumerable, He demands also something from them, saying, "a new commandment I give unto you." (John xiii. 34.) Again, a testament ought to have witnesses. Hear Him again saying, "I am one that bear witness of Myself, and He that sent Me beareth witness of Me." (John viii. 18.) And again, "He shall testify of Me" (John xv. 26), speaking of the Comforter. The twelve Apostles too He sent, saying, "Bear ye witness before God."
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Hebrews

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 15–22

The solemn transactions between God and man, are sometimes called a covenant, here a testament, which is a willing deed of a person, bestowing legacies on such persons as are described, and it only takes effect upon his death. Thus Christ died, not only to obtain the blessings of salvation for us, but to give power to the disposal of them. All, by sin, were become guilty before God, had forfeited every thing that is good; but God, willing to show the greatness of his mercy, proclaimed a covenant of grace. Nothing could be clean to a sinner, not even his religious duties; except as his guilt was done away by the death of a sacrifice, of value sufficient for that end, and unless he continually depended upon it. May we ascribe all real good works to the same all-procuring cause, and offer our spiritual sacrifices as sprinkled with Christ's blood, and so purified from their defilement.

Read Matthew Henry on Hebrews 9 →

Cross-references

3

Topics

InheritanceWill

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.